Austria: Military - Maria - Theresia - Order: Grand Cross, privately made version in Diamonds.
Austria: Military - Maria - Theresia - Order: Grand Cross, privately made version in Diamonds.
Silver, the obverse arms of the cross and the medallion completely set with old-cut - paste stones and red crystal stones.
The arms of the cross' backside are separately applied as small plates and white enamelled. Reverse medallion gold and enamel. Without sash.
The Grand Cross of the Military Maria Theresa Order was not officially awarded with diamonds. However, already in the 18th century, magnificent order insignia with diamond setting were produced for Emperors Franz Stephan and Joseph II. These important pieces of insignia, the Cross and Breast Star, are today in the secular treasury of the Vienna Hofburg.
According to the information provided by the consignor, the present example is believed to come from the property of Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria.
Czar Ferdinand, who came from the family Saxony - Coburg (Ernestine line of the House of Wettin), had a pronounced weakness for orders and decorations and had several of his insignia set with stones at his own expense, e.g. his Grand Cross set of the Saxony Ernestine House Order with swords ( see Auction House Andreas Thies, 62nd auction, 15 July 2017, lots 60 and 61).
Although he was an important collector of precious stones, the Tsar did not attach importance to the use of real stones in the insignia he commissioned, a peculiarity that also applied to Duke Charles of Brunswick, who was also known as a famous collector of precious stones almost a century earlier (cf. the numerous insignia of Duke Charles in the Musée Militaire Vadoise, Chateau de Morges, Switzerland, decorated with simili stones).
This custom shows the self-image of these two monarchs, who considered themselves to be outside and above of all regulations.
Although not in accordance with the statutes, this insignia shows the great importance that Tsar Ferdinand I attached to the Grand Cross of the MMTO.
The piece must have been worn by him over a longer period of time and shows significant signs of wear.
The award piece for the MMTO - Grand Cross of the Bulgarian Tsar was auctioned by Karlkeinz Müller in 1989 (cf. catalogue of the 34th auction, 23 September 1989, lot 61).
Splendid and import piece of order insignia of the greatest raity